Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/27

Rh “’Twas set,” replied Nathan Lindall grimly. “Indians were seen skulking about the woods late in the afternoon, and ’tis  thought they were some that have set up their  wigwams above the Beaver Pond since  autumn.”

“But why, sir? ”

“I know not, save that Master Vernham tells me that of late they have shown much  insolence and have frequently come to his  house begging for food and cloth. At first he gave, but soon their importunity wearied  him and he refused. They are, he says, a povern and worthless lot; renegade Mohegans he thinks. But dress yourself, lad, and be about your duties.”

Shortly after the midday meal, Nathan Lindall and Obid again set forth, this time  taking the Sudbury path, and David, left to  his own devices, finished the ploughing of the  south field which was later to be sown to  corn, and then, unyoking the oxen and returning them to the barn, he took his gun  and made his way along the little brook  toward the swamp woods. The afternoon, half gone, was warm and still, and a bluish  haze lay over the distant hills to the south-east. A rabbit sprang up from almost be-